Dental impression tray



Nov. 18, 1958 B. w. BRANT 2,860,414

DENTAL IMPRESSION TRAY Filed July 29, 1957 INVENTOR. 3k mar/e W, file/awriwsrs,

United States Patent DENTAL IMPRESSION TRAY Bridane W. Brant, Kokomo, Ind.

Application July 29, 1957, Serial No. 674,697

2 Claims. (Cl. 32-17) This invention relates generally to dental trays, and in particular to a tray assembly of this type which is easily adjustable and simplified in construction.

In the construction of crowns, fixed bridges or inlays for non-edentulous mouths, it has become important to provide an impression tray adapted to receive impression material of the modern rubber base and silicone types. A further requirement for a dental tray of the type referred to is that it be adaptable to a large range of sizes and shapes of human jaws, with the curvature of the tray varying according to the width of the jaw.

It is, of course, also desirable that the tray be capable of rigid adjustment to minimize the discomfort of the patient caused by the placement of the tray within the patients mouth.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a tray of the type referred to above which can be quickly and conveniently adjusted by means of a single thumbscrew, or set-screw adjustment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dental tray particularly adapted for construction of crowns, bridges and inlay restorations, and also adapted to either upper or lower dentition.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a tray of the type referred to above which is simplified in construction and which may be easily sterilized in modern sterilizing solution.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

Fig. 1 represents an exploded view of the components of a dental tray assembly embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tray assembly showing alternate positions of the parts in broken lines.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the dental tray assembly is composed of two members and 11, each carrying at its extremities matching, curved trays or channels 12 and 13. The upwardly extending side walls of each of the trays is provided with a series of openings 14.

At their other extremities the members each carry offset, laterally-extending plates 16 and 17, adapted to overlie the members when these components are in assembled position so that the members extend within the same plane. Matching, concentric slots 18 and 19 are formed in each of the members and plates. A thumbscrew 21, having knurled head 22 extends through the slots and receives on its outer end a washer 23.

The washer is provided with aconcave configuration ice on its outer face by means of an inwardly offset central area 24, which is adapted to receive the reduced end of the portion 26 of a clamping nut 27.

When assembled, as shown in Fig. 2, the enlarged clamping surface, formed by the under face of the washer 23, holds the members tightly in their predetermined angular relation. Loosening of the clamping nut permits movement of the tray between the position indicated by broken lines at 13a in Fig. 2, and the position indicated by 13b in Fig. 2.

The range of movement for the tray provided by the slotted connection between the members permits the trays to accommodate a wide range of jaw sizes and shapes. The openings in the side walls of the trays provide for the retention in proper position within the trays of impression materials of the modern silicone or rubber base types. The single adjustment provided by the thumbscrew permits rapid and convenient fitting of the tray to the patients mouth with a minimum of discomfort to the patient.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, as other modifications may readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. An adjustable dental impression tray assembly comprising dual members each carrying at one of their extremities a jaw-segment fitting tray, each of said trays having a series of openings along its side walls and adapted to accommodate a dental impression material, adjustable means for pivotally joining the opposite extremities of said members including laterally extending plates carried by said members, said plates being adapted to overlie said members with the members extending within the same plane, concentric matching slots formed in said plates and said members, a single thumbscrew adapted to extend through said slots, a washer and a clamping nut accommodated on said thumbscrew, said washer having a generally concave outer face accommodating said clamping nut, tightening of said nut on said thumbscrew serving to fix the relative angular position of said members.

2. An adjustable dental impression tray assembly comprising dual members each carrying at one of their extremities a jaw-segment fitting tray, adjustable means for pivotally joining the opposite extremities of said members including extending plates carried by said members, said plates being adapted to overlie said members with the members extending within the same plane, concentric matching slots formed in said plates and said members, a single thumbscrew adapted to extend through said slots, a washer and a clamping nut accommodated on said thumbscrew, said washer having a generally concave face accommodating said nut, tightening of said nut on said thumbscrew serving to fix the relative angular position of said members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,529,429 Spiro Nov. 7, 1950 2,685,137 Thompson Aug. 3, 1954 2,722,744 Wagner Nov. 8, 1955 

